From April to December

 

April

December

                                The grands are grand indeed!

Memories are precious!

I love my family and that's what I've been doing enjoying them while they were visiting. I am so blessed!

Christmas at "Seven Gables" Home Tour

   
               Christmas at Seven Gables 2011

Enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas at "Seven Gables" a family farmhouse  built in 1909 by our hosts grandfather. The family was involved in a peanut and cotton farming operation for many years on the land surrounding the home. Following the passing of our hosts grandmother in 1970, they began a forty year on-going restoration project on the house. They raised their children, the fifth generation here and now frequently welcome the sixth generation of grandsons for visits.
    They have filled the home with many family heirlooms and memorabilia, and always enjoy sharing a little part of local history with guests. Come back in time and enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas at Seven Gables.  The owners of Seven Gables are good friends of mine.

Sunroom added in 2005.

Collection of crocks, washboards, and butter molds-some original to house.

 When our hostess was ten years old she bought this candle stand table for $10.00. Her interest in antiques began at an early age. The antique Sheffield silver basket  was a wedding gift in 1969. Fresh greenery is abundant throughout the entire house accented by candlelight.

 Chalk ware nativity.

 Book of poems, circa 1847, given to Maxine by John for their second anniversary.

 Detailing of Victorian center entry table (late 1800's). Note original heart pine floors.

 Grandparents portraits.

 Antique sideboard with collection of family crystal and cut glass.

Merry Christmas from "Seven Gables".


Linking to  Debra's Vintage Christmas at the  Christmas Blogger  Block Party.

Our Christmas tree.......Full of memories

  

Our Christmas tree is full of forty years of memories.

 These salt dough ornaments made by my son in elementary school make me smile each year as I unwrap the ornaments.

 My husband prefers the traditional star at the top of our tree.

These two needlepoint ornaments were made for our children by their grandmother and hold special memories for us.

  JOY is my prayer for everyone this Christmas!

 This precious church makes me cry with a very special memory receiving it from my dear daughter when they lived in Washington state and we spent Christmas with them some years back. Since then she has given me quite a few Radko churches but this is my favorite one. I gave her one just like it for her tree.

Merry Christmas .....May the REAL meaning of CHRISTMAS swell in your heart!

Joining Honey @2805 for the Blogger Christmas  tree party.

Christmas Dining

 My kitchen table is set with my Spode Christmas pattern.  I played around with four different centerpieces. Something I've learned about tablescaping is filling up the middle of the table looks best in photographs. However, most husbands can't wait for that centerpiece to be moved !!!!

My DIL's mother gave me the green mesh ribbon for tablescapes. I like how it softens and adds texture.

These cookies are Pioneer Woman's recipe for Christmas gems. I liked the way they turned out. 

 The Mr. and Mrs. Claus salt and pepper shakers are from the 80's.  I changed the green glasses in the previous picture to red wine glasses. Which color glass do you like best? The grandchildren like to drink out of the Santa mugs and I think they go with the plates and add a little whimsy. I don't like the compote  now because it is too busy. I have already taken them off as well as the green placemats since I made these pictures.

 As you can see  when using the red charger there is not enough room for the silverware so I like it better without the place mat. I bought my outside planter with fresh lettuce inside  to try on the table just for fun. It is too large. Proportion is the hardest principle of design for me until I see it in place.  I  like something fresh and different but the container is too tall and overpowering here.

Centerpiece #3. I like the height of the champagne bucket with how the table looks in my room but it is too high to leave on the table for eating. Remember I made these pictures before I decided to remove the place mat and compotes. When you are seating five and six at a table there will be space in the middle. Remember the first picture in this post with netting draped around the centerpiece. I like how something  draping  softens and fills the empty spaces. So I still have work to do. Space is a design element too! Whatever the size, you use space by filing it or leaving it open. Space conveys feeling too. Some people feel claustrophobic with too many things and others just keep adding!

Centerpiece #4.  Here I decided to pull out the blue in the tablecloth with a blue and white container and I like the size of the planter better too!

There also is a subtle change in this picture.  Can you see the change? I  just got an idea from the candy stripe pattern on the cookies for santa plate that is pictured. How would it look if I could find a stripe fabric for napkins to layer underneath the red napkin? I  would love your ideas and suggestions. This is still a work in progress.


I am joining Sherry for Christmas Dining at the Christmas Blogger Block party and Susan for Tablescape Thursday.

Where's the line to see Jesus? Watch youtube video

MERRY CHRISTMAS http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=OExXItDyWEY&vq=medium

Hope you are full of joy this season!